Vehicle lock



Nov. 28, 1939. l l.. R. SMITH VEHICLE LOCK Filed sept. 14, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 AUA'. l /7 441 AKA'A IN VENT 0R ATTORNEY Nov. 28, 1939. L, R, sMlTH 2,181,822

VEHICLE LOCK v Filed Sept. 14, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. a"

v 21 VENTOR A TTORNE Y Nov. 28, 1939. L, R, sMlTH 2,181,822

VEHICLE LOCK Filed Sept. 14, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 I n||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||l||l||lll 29 "11g/i12? ,55 fam ww A TTORNEY L. R. SMITH vEHcLE LOCK Nov. 28, 1939.

F-'iled Sept. 14, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 KENTOR Patented Nov. 28, 1939 VEHICLE LOCK Louis R. Smith, San Diego, Calif., assigner of' twenty per cent to Bernhart 0. Larsen, twenty per cent to Christian A. Larsen, and thirty per cent to Goldie V. Smith, all of San Diego, Calif.

Application septemberl 14, 193s, serial Ne. 229,977

13 Claims.

motor. In addition, various attempts have been.

made to provide the fuel tank closure with some sort of lock or latch for `preventing unauthorized removal of the fuel, theft of the closure, or accidental misplacement thereof.

A purpose of the present invention is to pro-` y vide means for accomplishing the foregoing objects, together with others, which may be briefly summarized as follows:

In most localities the operator of a motor vehicleis required by law to maintain the motor at rest while gasoline is being supplied to the fuel tank. By my present invention violation of such laws is made mechanically impossible, since the invention permits the fuel tank closure to be removed only while the ignition circuit is open and maintains the ignition circuit open as long as the closure remains removed. Furthermore, this characteristic or capacity of the invention requires the closure to be restored to closed position before the ignition circuit canl be closed; hence the vehicle cannot be driven away from a filling station or the like and the tank closure left inadvertently behind, nor can the vehicle be driven away with the tank closure in any but fully closed position. Accordingly, loss of fuel by splashing out of an unclosed tank during driving of the vehicle is completely prevented.

The invention therefore includes means cooperating with the ignition circuit and a fuel tank closure for preventing functioning of the ignition circuit while the closure is in any but fully closed position, and for preventing opening of of the tank closure while the ignition circuit is closed, and I prefer to include signal means for indicating the open' or closed condition of the tank.

A specific object' of the invention is to provide electro-magnetically operated means for releasing a normally secured closure member, such as a fuel tank cap,4 the electro-magnetic means being controlled by a circuit including a battery lso arranged that current ows inthe releasing circuit only momentarily while the closure member is being released, thus reducing current consumption to a minimum. This obviously desirable end may be attained by associating with the manually operable-.s'witch which controls the closure releasing circuit a spring or equivalent means for urging the switch to open position immediately upon release of the manual element.

In addition to the foregoing briefly indicated characteristics and objects, the invention comprises an electrically controlled latch for the tank closure which may take the form of a bolt normally engaging the closure to secure it in closed position but electrically retractible under certain conditions to permit the closure to be re moved.

Preferably I provide two locks for the system, one controlling the ignition circuit independently of the fuel tank closure, and the other cooperating with the first to control the fuel tank closure. The locks are preferably actuated by different keys. Hence if only the ignition key be possessed, the vehicle may be operated but the,

tank closure cannot be removed. This feature of the invention is of special importance when the Vehicle is entrusted to 'repairmen, chauffeurs, etc., by whom the .vehicle is to .be operated but to whom it may be desirable to deny access tothe fuel supply.

In this preliminary explanation and in the detailed disclosure hereinafter the invention is describedasincluding a fuel tank closure controlled by one of the locks or latches which the system comprises. It is to be understood that this specific disclosure is by way of, example only and that by making obvious and simple changes the `lock or latch may be made to control some other instrumentality of the vehicle or its body. Such obvious modifications are considered well within the spirit of the invention and the scope and purview of theappended claims.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention may be embodied in the form shown on the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevational View of the locks and signal which may be mounted on the instrument board of a vehicle;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view showingv a rear face of the parts shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the l parts in ay different position;

' Fig. 4 is'a plan view of a fuel tank neck and associated-h ousing containing the closure latch and its operating parts;

injury and tampering in which I enclose various parts of the construction in accordance' with well known principles of practical design.

f Referring to the drawings and first to Fig. l,

the reference numerals I and 2 indicate key controlled locks which may be mounted on an instrument board 3 of a vehicle. At the rear of lock I and movable only upon insertion and rotation of a key ttingthe lock, isa switch 4 adapted to wipe contacts 5 8,-1 and 8, so arranged that contacts 5 and 6 are bridged at one position-of the switch and contacts 'I and `8 are bridged at a different position thereof.

With the switch is associatedv any appropriate means controlled by lock 2 for limiting movement of. the switch at any time to either side but not both sides. In other words, means 1s provided to prevent movement of the switch toward the left when movement is permitted toward the right, and vice eversa. A convenient embodiment of such means is illustrated in the form of a substantially U-shaped element 8 rotatable .with the lock 2 under control of anappropriate key which is preferably different from that which nts lock I. Lock 2 is arranged'to rotate through a limited arc so as to bring one 4U or thev other of its two horns II), II, into 'en' gagement with stop faces I2, I3, formed conveniently integral with the switch 4 diametrically opposite its contact bridging portion. Figs. 2 and 3 show respectively horns II and I8 engaged with stop faces I3 and I2. In Fig. 2 the switch may be moved to bridge contacts 5 and 6 butnot contacts 'I and 8, while in Fig. 3 the switch may be moved to bridge. contacts 1 and 8v but not contacts 5 and 6. Stop pins I4 and I 5 `may be provided on the member on which the switch and contacts varev mounted to limita the range of movement of the switch and to limit movement toward. the switch of a leaf spring I6 mounted on the supporting member and adapted to be distorted against its inherent resilience by rotation of the switch into bridging relation with contacts 'I and 8 in such a way that the switch is automatically moved out of engagement with contact 8 upon release -of the key which controls lock I. Thus, any

bridging of contacts 1 and 8 is made momentarilyv only, unless the key which controls lock I be held at the extreme of its counterclockwise range ofmovement against the resilience of spring I6.

The foregoing description completes the explanation of the switch and appurtenant e1e ments which control the circuits for the ignition and th'e other instrumentality of the vehicle which is intended to be secured, illustrated'in 70 this disclosure as the closure cap of the usual fuel tank. The switch and related elements as described hereinabove may be mounted on the instrument board ofl the vehicle or in any other convenient location, being connected bysuitable u electric conductors with the battery, ground, and

mechanism controlling the other instrumentality intended to be secured, as hereinafter'described.

If the other instrumentality intended to be secured against opening or removal be the closure cap of the customary fuel tank, the invention comprises providing an arrangement of parts and elements at the fuel tank substantially as follows: -v

In Figs.' 4,'5 and 6 the reference numeral I'I designates the usual filling neck ofthe Vfuel tank adapted to be closed by a cap I8. -A'convenient modeof connecting the cap to the neck consists- 4in providing the neck with a radially inwardly extending flange I8 oppositely notched at 28, 28 to receive opporsitely directed prongs 2|, 2|, cartied by the cap. It is obvious that insertion of the prongs into the notches and rotation ofthe cap through a few degrees will result in engaging the prongs beneath the unnotched portion of the flange I9 to secure the cap on' the neck. Ob-

viously cooperating screw threads may be pro-.

vided on the neck and cap, or any of numerous other well known expedients may be employed.

A box-like housing-22 is provided on the tank adjacent the neck normally closed by a cover plate 23 slit vendwise onto the housing and' bolted thereto at 24 under the peripheral margin of the Vcap I8 insuch a way that when the cap is in place on the neck access cannot be had to\ the bolts which secure the cover plate in place.'

The housing 22 contains the mechanism which controls the removability of the cap I8, in one position locking it against removal and in anotherl position leaving it free to vbe removed. This mechanism may comprise a solenoid 25 having a core 26 urged outwardly of the solenoid and toward' the neck II by a spring 21 under compression in the bore of the solenoid. Thenose of core 26 extends through an aperture in a guide 28 mounted in the housing in such a manner vthat when in its extremeiextended position it lies in the path through which an extension 29 dependingfrom the under side of the cap I8 moves when the cap is rotated incident-to being removed from' the neck I'I or replaced thereon. The end of thenose is provided with a square side which opposes the sideof extension 29 when the cap is locked on the neck and is rotated in the ,direction required for its removal. It4 is thus evident that when the core 26 is in its fully extended position the cap cannot be rotat'ed on the neck from its closed to its open position.

In order to permit the cap to be turned from closed to open position core 26 is withdrawn.

` at 38 on o ne side and -a pawl3I in the form 'of a bellcrank is pivoted at 32 on guide 28 at the same side of the core. One arm 33 of the bellcrank extends parallel to the core and is urged thereagainst by a spring` 34 which may be conveniently connected -between the bellcrank and some fixed part of the mechanism such as the spool of the solenoid. Hence, when the core v is retracted into the solenoid arm 33 of the bell.-

crank enters notch 36 and holds core 26 withdrawn against `the tension of spring 21. If the cap I8 be then in closed position on the neck I1 it may be rotated to open position.

In this relation of th parts, in order to cause restoration of cap I8 to closedposition to release core 26 so as to lock the cap again in closed position, 'I provide a pawl 35 pivoted on arm 36 of bellcrank 3| and having an inclined face presented to extension 29 of the cap when the cap is moved from its closed to its open position. The face of pawl 35 presented to extension 29 when the cap I8 is moved from itsopen tol its closed position is substantially square and tends to oppose such movement, but the face is so formed that pressure of extension 29 against it moves pawl 35 against the stop pin 31 formed on arm 36 of the bell-crank so that pawl 35 and bellcrank 8|4 moves as a unit, bellcrank 3| rotating about its pivot 32 to remove its arm 33 from notch 38 and permit core 26 tomove outwardly under the influence of spring 21. A small coil spring 38 may connect the rear end of ypawl 35 with bellcrank arm 33 to maintain the beveled and substantially square faces of the pawl forwardly extended into the path of movement of vextension 29.

It is believed that the mechanical functioning of the various parts of the, mechanism enclosed in housing 22 is made clear oy the foregoing description. The circuit connections by which core 26 is retracted and by which the mechanism in the housing 22 cooperates with the ignition circuit to effect the objects and advantages hereinbefore indicated will now be described.

Fig. 7 shows the circuit connections. Contact is grounded, and a contact 6 is connected to one lead 39 from the ignition circuit, the other lead 40 of which is connected to va spring contact 4I mounted in the housing 22 and adapted,

when core 26 moves forward, to have a similar grounded terminal of the usual motor vehicle battery 45. It is evident that the ignition circuit becomes closed when switch 4 bridges contacts 5 and 6 and core 26 is extended to its position whichv latches cap I8 on neck I1. Y'

From contact 1 a lead 46 extends' to the solenoid winding, and from the winding a lead 41 branches, one'branch being grounded and the other branch terminating at a spring contact 48 mounted in housing 22 and adapted to'have a similar spring contact 49 moved into engagement with it by an insulated stud 50 carried by core 26. The relationship of contacts 48 and 49 and stud 50 is such r.that the contacts are open when core 26 is forwardly extended and closed when the core is retracted into the solenoid. From contact' 49 lead 5| extends to contact 8, preferably first passing through a tell-tale signal lamp 52 mounted on the support which carries switch `4 and showing through a,l jewel lens 53 mounted close to lock I. From contact 8 a lead 54extends to the ungrounded terminal of battery 45. l

It is believed that the foregoing' detailed description makes the circuit connections clear.

The mode of operation and various capacities of the device will now be briefly indicated.

Let it be supposed that the cap I8 is closed on neck I1 and latched in place by engagement of its extension 29 with the square face of the nose of core 26, the keys being withdrawn from locks I and 2l and the parts shown in'Fig. Z'being in their` full line position in that figure. If an appropriate key be turned in lock I to rrotate the switch to its dottedline position in Fig. 2 the ignition circuit iscoijnpleted,` including battery 45, lead 44,. closed contacts. and 42, lead 46,

the various ignition elements associated with the motor (not shown), lead 39, contact 6, switch 4 and grounded contact 5.

If it is desired to remove cap' i8, solenoid 25 must be energized, and since open contacts "I and 8 are in the solenoid circuit it is necessary to move switch 4 to bridge these contacts. quires opening of the ignition contacts 5 and 6 and consequently results in stopping the vehicle engine. f

If switch v4 is to be moved to bridge contacts 1.and 8 the element 9 must be rotated from its Fig. 2 to its Fig. 3 position, requiring possession Aoi. a key tting lock 2. Removal of cap I8 is thus dependent on possession of a key iitting lock 2, which is preferably diiferent from the key fitting lock I, so that repairmen, chauffeurs and other persons authorized merely to drive the vehicle and not to have access to the fuel supply may be provided with a key fitting lock I only.

If lock 2 be operated to move element 9 to the position shown in Fig. 3 switch 4 may be turned to the position there shown in dotted lines. Contacts 1 and 8 become closed only as long as the key controlling lock I is forcibly against the resilience of spring I6, the spring opening contacts 1 and 8 immediately upon release of the key in lock I. Excessive drain on the battery consequent upon prolonged consumption of the re1- atively large amount of current required to energize solenoid 25 is thus obviated. When contacts 1 v and 8 are bridged by switch 4 current flows from battery 45 through lead 54, contact 8, switch 4, contact 1, lead 46, solenoid 25, leadv 41, and its grounded branch, energizing the solenoid and retreating core 26 to the point where arm 33 of bellcrank 3| enters notch 38 of the core and holds it in retracted position, as shown in Fig. 6. Cap |8 may then be removed. Retraction of core 26 and its retention in the position shown in Fig. 6 closes contacts 48 and 49. Notwithstanding the opening of contacts 1 and 8 under the influence of spring I6 a circuit is completed through the tell-tale signal lamp 52, this circuit comprising battery 45, lead 54, contact 8, lamp 52, lead 5I, closed contacts 49 and 48, and the grounded branch of solenoid lead 41. Obviously this circuit remains closed and lamp 52 consequently lit as long as core 26 remains retracted. Jewel lens 53 thus becomes a definite visual indication that. cap 'I8 is not latched in closed position.

l In order to prevent closing the ignition circuit while the cap I8 is removed or in unlatched closed position, the parts being in the relative positio A just described, the ignition circuit is automat cally opened and maintained open by retraction of core 26 to the position shown in Fig. 6 by the separation of contacts 4I and 42 consequent upon .initial movement of the stud 43 which held these contacts together when core 26 was in its extended position. Thus, even though switch 4 be moved to close contacts 5 and 6 in the ignition circuit, the circuit is open at contacts 4I and 42 and the vehicle motor cannot be started. Consequently leven a person in possession of keys tting locks and 2 cannot start the vehicle motor and operate the vehicle until cap I8 is restored to latched closed position on neck I1. It is impossible therefore to drivethe vehicle from a filling station and inadvertently leave the fuel tank cap behind.

Since it may be desirable to extend thefree end of extension 29 farther from cap I8 than through notch-56. Insertion of extension 29 behind the beveled face of pawl 35 is thus pre- ;Vented. It is necessary to seat the cap on the neck in such a manner-that rotation of the capl to closed position forces extension 29 pastthe substantially square face of pawl 35 to release bellcrank 3| arid permit spring 21 to move core 26 into latching position.

As has been indicated hereinabove the invention has been describedin a preferred embodiment and illustrated in a specific form merely for the purpose of disclosure. The invention maybe embodied in other and further modified forms, not only as to the specific structure of the mechanism,` but to the agencies and instrumentalities of the vehicle which are intended to be controlled. Such modifications to the extent that they embody the principles of the invention as pointed out by theappended claims are deemed within the scope and purview thereof.

I claim: i

1. Vehicle locking means comprising a switch, contacts adapted to be closed by the switch to complete an ignition circuit, other contacts `adapted to be closed by the switch to closea circuit adapted to release a latch, and a lock normally preventing movement of the switch to ing means for releasing a latch also controlled by said lock, and a second lock normally preventing actuation of the iirstlock to close the second named circuit.

3. Vehicle locking means comprising an ignition circuit and a latch releasing circuit, manually operable means for alternatively closing said circuits, and other means preventing operation of the manually operable means to close either circuit while the other circuit is closed.

4. Vehicle locking means comprising an ignition circuit and a latch releasing circuit, a switch controlling said circuits, and means movable to one position to prevent movement of the switch to close the ignition circuit and permit movement thereof to close the latch releasing circuit and movable to another position to prevent movement of the s'witch to close the'jlatch releasing circuit and permit movement thereof to close the ignition circuit. A

5. Vehicle locking means comprising an ignition circuit, a latch, a latch releasing circuit, manually operable means for alternatively closing said circuits, and other means preventing operation of the manually operable means to close the ignition circuit whilethe latch is -in released position.

6. Vehicle locking means comprising an ignition circuit, a latch, a latch releasing circuit, means for alternatively closingvsaid circuits, and means opening thel ignition circuit upon release of the Y 7. Vehicle locking means comprising an ignition circuit, a lock therefor, means carried -bythe vehicle, a latch for said means, 'an d means .cooperating with the latch and with theignition circuit for opening the ignition circuit responsive toA withdrawal of the latch.

8.' Vehicle locking means comprising an igni-y tion circuit, a fuel tank, a cap therefor, a latch mounted on the tank and engageable with the cap l to prevent removal thereof, means for withdraw-y ing said latch from such engagement, and means responsive to said withdrawal adapted to open the ignition circuit.

9. Vehicle locking means comprising a fueladapted "to be closed when the latch is engaged with the` cap and opened by Withdrawal of the latch therefrom.

10. Vehicle locking means comprising a fuel tank, a captherefor, a latch mounted on the tank and engageablewith the cap to prevent removal thereof, means for withdrawing said latch from.

such engagement, anignition circuit, a pairof contacts-in said circuit biased to open position, and means carried by the latch adaptedto close said contacts when the latch is engagedwith the cap.

11. Vehicle locking means comprising a fuel tank, a cap therefor, a latch` carried by the tank and engageable with the cap for preventing removal thereof, means'urging the latch to such engagement, means for withdrawing the latch to vpermit removal of the cap, a pawl mounted adjacent the latch for holding the latch withdrawn,

and 'm'eans engageable by the cap for releasing said pawl when the cap is restored to closed posimoval thereof, a spring urging thelatch to such I engagement, electro-magnetic means for withdrawing the latch to permit removal of the cap, means for holding the latch -withdrawn automatically upon withdrawal, and means operable by restoration of the, cap to fully closed position to release the holding means.

13. Vehicle locking means comprising a fuel tank, a cap therefor, a latch carried by the tank and engageablev with the cap for preventing removal thereof, a spring urging the latch to such engagement, electro-magnetic means for withdrawing the latch to permit removal of the cap, a pawl; ,a spring urgingy .the pawl into holding engagement with the latch when the latch is withdrawn, and means carried by the pawl en#l gageable by the cap for releasing the pawl when the cap is moved to closed position.

LOUIS R. SMITH. 

